Too loud for my 6 year old

[FRANTIC FROG]

My little boy has a real problem with the sheer volume of some of the rides in the parks.
He's not too keen on the dark rides but is OK as long as it's not too loud.
I feel for him as he isn't one too shy away from things but he just gets scared.
I have been talking to him about our forthcoming trip in January and I have promised to get him some protective headphones like workmen use.
The thing is that although he has a big head, it's not that big!!
Earplugs just don't seem to do it for him.
He doesn't care about looking silly, he just wants to enjoy the rides without being screamed at
Can anyone give me any help on what to get him?
Does anyone else get the same problem?
I have to admit that on 2 occasions, I have had to sit near the front for The Hunchback of Notre Dame show and it so vibrated on my eardrums that it hurt.
My little Gary is depending on you guys
Lin xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[KayleeUK]

Poor Gary - don't really know what to suggest.

Just that the Tarzan Show in AK is extremely loud!!!!

 

[signtalker]

IMHO I would take him for a hearing test, or see your GP to request one at your local hospital.It sounds to me that he is sensitive to certain pitches of noise.MY DS started off like this,hated the noise of the hoover when he was very very little.

Jules

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

Thanks for your concern Jules and yes I have already done this.
He has been tested and his hearing is fine, very good in fact.
Gary is pretty young for his age as he is developmentally delayed and is more like a 3 year old and he just does not like the intense noise.
He's the same at the cinema. He really enjoys the movie but most of the time, he watches it with his hands over his ears.
I think he will be fine with earphones on although he will look kind of funny!!
Lin xxxxxxxxxx

 

[AlisonB]

Lin

I have every sympathy with you!

Our oldest DD Alexandra (10) still has problems with loud rides and won't go on a lot of them. And it's not just rides/shows - it's all loud noises. She adores dogs/animals but approaches all of them with her fingers in her ears!

And as for firework night!

We went to our first display last year - before that she just couldn't bear the thought of it!

It also doesn't help that she hates earplugs etc!

 

[danandjackie]

hearing tests done at local clinics can not be a sure way of detecting length wave pressure as they are usually just done to test high frequency hearing and to check certain HF frequencys . this in general indicated you have good hearing if you can hear the top of the HF scale.

I work in the live sound engineering field and what you are describing indicates a low frequency or standing wave anomoly.. its not actually a problem with the hearing but a mis interpretation of the sound field by the brain.

I`m guessing its the loud explosions or deep bass swells in music at live shows that are causing him the anxiety. Live music always plays below 20hz and this is amplified to above flat line norm so that you can feel explosions or be emotionally moved by the bass line...this releases endorphins in the brain that actually make you feel more excited but sometimes though rarely these signals cause confusion especially in young children.

 

[FRANTIC FROG]

I think you may have just hit the nail on the head with what you are saying.
It all relates to Gary.
I'm off to find him industrial ear muffs
thanks
Li xxxxxxxxxxxxxx